Googler

It's been a long while since I first posted these questions and received so many helpful answers. For my insurance to pay, I had to get to and remain at a bmi under 35 for a year. I was able to get there and remained for longer than a year (plus had to wait scheduling with two surgeons, etc.), but it's done now. HolyMotherOfPete was the pain bad. Not all the time and not the incision, seriously, all numb there, but the abdominal pressure and spasms. Coughing/sneezing are murderous for a few days. I had some complications with a few things, but also a big reaction to the bandages--blisters everywhere. Apparently, I'm allergic and didn't know it.
Anyways, as so many great people have shared theirs, I'm sharing my results.
Thanks again to everyone.

Thank you, TheRealMeisHere, I may have misspoken. Please don't think I'm self-destructive, not at all. I just need to be more pro-active in reaching my goals instead of passive. Not just weight-wise, but in many things.

It's crazy, really. Something for someone else and I'm all over it, above and beyond. Something for me and I procrastinate or let it slide til the cows come home.

Really appreciate everyone who has shared their experiences, advice and photos.
If/when I have it done, I'll share mine also. It really does help. I started imagining what it might look like--what I might look like, how it would feel to not have so much stomach to carry around, to try and work into a pair of pants, etc.
Again, thank you all!

It's entirely my own fault that I'm still so heavy. I'm definitely not a model patient. I feel foolish. It's been nearly 4 years to the day that I had VSG and more than a year since converting to bypass (started gaining). I'm down nearly 150 lbs from where I started, and I'm glad about that, truly, thrilled, just scared of the future (possible regain).
I know it's done and I can't change the past, so I have to stop beating myself up about it. Still, it sits heavily on my heart that I've screwed it up. I hadn't planned to try and have this done, but angry at myself for missing this opportunity. Plus, good grief--why have I sabotaged myself so many times? (singing..l...let it go....let it gooooo)
I talked to the surgeon's office. The nurse actually suggested that I change insurance companies with the new year and get to the good BMI then lie about how long I've been there. With other illnesses and emergency care, our insurance has been good to us, so I don't see us changing, but I found it interesting that they'd suggest it.
As it stands, I'll continue to try losing and keeping it off. I can't guarantee that I'll stay at the same weight for a year, but I can and will get to below 35 BMI and go from there. Hopefully that guideline won't change and when it comes time, I'll meet any other criteria they have. I've told my husband--Guess that means by my 50th birthday (2018), I'll have a new tummy. (I know it isn't, but gosh, 2018 sounds so far away, but goodness, 50!?! Egads!!)

It's been a long while since I first posted these questions and received so many helpful answers. For my insurance to pay, I had to get to and remain at a bmi under 35 for a year. I was able to get there and remained for longer than a year (plus had to wait scheduling with two surgeons, etc.), but it's done now. HolyMotherOfPete was the pain bad. Not all the time and not the incision, seriously, all numb there, but the abdominal pressure and spasms. Coughing/sneezing are murderous for a few days. I had some complications with a few things, but also a big reaction to the bandages--blisters everywhere. Apparently, I'm allergic and didn't know it.
Anyways, as so many great people have shared theirs, I'm sharing my results.
Thanks again to everyone.

I hope everyone that commented see's this. Thank you all so much for making me feel better. You all gave great advice.

I really love this group, it's one of the few places where i feel safe to discuss my journey and all the stuff that comes along with it. Thank you all, you're awesome! [emoji847][emoji847][emoji847]

I'm a week post body lift/tummy tuck. I am feeling pretty good. The pain was intense for the first few days. I have four drains in and still fill them up with Fluid. I expect them to be in for a few weeks at least. The results so far are amazing, though. They took off 15 lbs of skin/fat. All insurance covered. I'll be looking at an arm lift in about 6-8 weeks.

I forgot to post this the other day..
Went shopping with my younger step sister and was trying on clothing... The jeans that I had just bought there a month ago were a bit loose, so I scooped up the same ones in a lower size ...yep. Size 8. Hello.
SINGLE DIGIT JEANS!!!!!!!!!!
Already wearing smalls in most dresses and tops, but THIS was a big one!!! Could likely go to 6 when these last pounds come off around my waist... 4's after a tummy tuck....Hot damn!
NSV on steroids.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My best piece of advice is to make as many changes as you can as soon as you can, and work to get new habits and thought processes into place right away. Do NOT wait until your surgery to be 'reborn'.
As I've seen stated over and over in these forums, it's stomach surgery, not brain surgery. Changing your brain takes time, and the time to do it is NOT immediately post-op when you're fragile and healing. If head hunger and long formed habits are going to lead you to make poor choices (as they very often do...it happens), you want to learn to navigate them pre-op when you can afford to make mistakes, not post-op when you can really do some damage.

It's not as hard as you might think. I stressed a great deal more than I should have.

Thank you, TheRealMeisHere, I may have misspoken. Please don't think I'm self-destructive, not at all. I just need to be more pro-active in reaching my goals instead of passive. Not just weight-wise, but in many things.

It's crazy, really. Something for someone else and I'm all over it, above and beyond. Something for me and I procrastinate or let it slide til the cows come home.

Really appreciate everyone who has shared their experiences, advice and photos.
If/when I have it done, I'll share mine also. It really does help. I started imagining what it might look like--what I might look like, how it would feel to not have so much stomach to carry around, to try and work into a pair of pants, etc.
Again, thank you all!

It's entirely my own fault that I'm still so heavy. I'm definitely not a model patient. I feel foolish. It's been nearly 4 years to the day that I had VSG and more than a year since converting to bypass (started gaining). I'm down nearly 150 lbs from where I started, and I'm glad about that, truly, thrilled, just scared of the future (possible regain).
I know it's done and I can't change the past, so I have to stop beating myself up about it. Still, it sits heavily on my heart that I've screwed it up. I hadn't planned to try and have this done, but angry at myself for missing this opportunity. Plus, good grief--why have I sabotaged myself so many times? (singing..l...let it go....let it gooooo)
I talked to the surgeon's office. The nurse actually suggested that I change insurance companies with the new year and get to the good BMI then lie about how long I've been there. With other illnesses and emergency care, our insurance has been good to us, so I don't see us changing, but I found it interesting that they'd suggest it.
As it stands, I'll continue to try losing and keeping it off. I can't guarantee that I'll stay at the same weight for a year, but I can and will get to below 35 BMI and go from there. Hopefully that guideline won't change and when it comes time, I'll meet any other criteria they have. I've told my husband--Guess that means by my 50th birthday (2018), I'll have a new tummy. (I know it isn't, but gosh, 2018 sounds so far away, but goodness, 50!?! Egads!!)

Thank you, TheRealMeisHere, I may have misspoken. Please don't think I'm self-destructive, not at all. I just need to be more pro-active in reaching my goals instead of passive. Not just weight-wise, but in many things.

It's crazy, really. Something for someone else and I'm all over it, above and beyond. Something for me and I procrastinate or let it slide til the cows come home.

Hello there! I just love this forum! Such good advice from different people with different situations. I had the lipoabdiminoplasty done 3 days ago. I highly recommend getting one of those recliners that sit you up and lay you down electronically. My husband found it online at Walmart and was a fraction of the price of everywhere else, even Craig's list. Spanx shorts to breast has worked really well for me and you can still wear it for smoothing afterward. My abdominal compression garment isn't long enough cause I have a long torso. I went to the medical supply store and bought another one for $30. I hope this helps and good luck!
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@eriirosee There have been at least 3 people in the last few months that had their surgery's postponed due to not following the pre-op diet. One of them was during surgery - they closed her back up. The purpose of the diet is to shrink your liver and make surgery safer - do you really want to risk that?? If you're having trouble with the diet - call your surgeon and ask for advice (they may allow you to eat some protein).

It's entirely my own fault that I'm still so heavy. I'm definitely not a model patient. I feel foolish. It's been nearly 4 years to the day that I had VSG and more than a year since converting to bypass (started gaining). I'm down nearly 150 lbs from where I started, and I'm glad about that, truly, thrilled, just scared of the future (possible regain).
I know it's done and I can't change the past, so I have to stop beating myself up about it. Still, it sits heavily on my heart that I've screwed it up. I hadn't planned to try and have this done, but angry at myself for missing this opportunity. Plus, good grief--why have I sabotaged myself so many times? (singing..l...let it go....let it gooooo)
I talked to the surgeon's office. The nurse actually suggested that I change insurance companies with the new year and get to the good BMI then lie about how long I've been there. With other illnesses and emergency care, our insurance has been good to us, so I don't see us changing, but I found it interesting that they'd suggest it.
As it stands, I'll continue to try losing and keeping it off. I can't guarantee that I'll stay at the same weight for a year, but I can and will get to below 35 BMI and go from there. Hopefully that guideline won't change and when it comes time, I'll meet any other criteria they have. I've told my husband--Guess that means by my 50th birthday (2018), I'll have a new tummy. (I know it isn't, but gosh, 2018 sounds so far away, but goodness, 50!?! Egads!!)

I understand, LisaMergs. If insurance doesn't pick up the tab or most of it, then I can't see me being able to have any reconstruction done. Our vacations are expensive (flights to/from the US, etc.), so those trips are my perks. I'd have to skip visiting with family for a year or two and I just can't do that. My parents are getting older and I don't want to miss seeing them while I can.

I understand, LisaMergs. If insurance doesn't pick up the tab or most of it, then I can't see me being able to have any reconstruction done. Our vacations are expensive (flights to/from the US, etc.), so those trips are my perks. I'd have to skip visiting with family for a year or two and I just can't do that. My parents are getting older and I don't want to miss seeing them while I can.

@@ausmith That one, is just a waist nipper, no bra.
The Walmart one is a bodysuit and does have a flexible, plastic underwire. Very comfortable, did not dig in at all

I have a couple of consults set up for next month. I'm not at goal yet- 40 lbs away- but definitely want the girls back where they belong as well as the TT. Two of my kids were C sections, the first an emergency C, so my scar goes vertical from belly button down.
Even before weight gain, when my tummy was relatively flat, one side of the scar had a droop to it. I'm hoping that will easily be addressed.
At this point, I'm in research mode, so I know what to expect, costs, etc. One in college now, and two headed over the next two years, requires planning financially. My husband couldn't care less if I do these things, but I know I'd catch flack if I dug too far into savings to do so.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Googler I don't remember at what point I felt comfortable sleeping without compression. It is OK to sleep with though. It doesn't effect circulation the way compression stockings do.
I, too, had muscle repair and was walking within hours.......like Quasimodo, lol!! Pain was really minimal, more just discomfort & tightness.

@@bayougirlmrsc Did you have muscle repair? I'd be surprised that you were up and walking around the day after surgery if you did. That's impressive!

@TheRealMeIsHere!
I agree with the firm compression statement. Trust me, your body feels horrible when it swells. Those compression garments are both your best friend and your nemesis all at the same time.

@@Googler my experience with TT.... it's all ive had done. I had no complications, stayed over night at the surgery center with a pain pump. Went home the next day. i slept in my recliner the first week. It's where i felt most comfortable. I was up walking the day i went home. I equate the pain with my 2 c-sections. Which was not bad at all. The compression garment it key.. my doc put mine on in the op room. it snapped at the bottom and zipped on each side. i only took off to shower. Wore it for 6-8 weeks.
i also had a puffy kitty.... now she is trim and purrrrrrtttttyyyyyy. lol
You can pm me with any questions.....
I also have some pics on my profile...
http://www.bariatricpal.com/gallery/album/23717-post-tummy-tuck/